Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Katie Davis in recognition of her dedication to her community through both her professional and volunteer activities.

Katie Davis is someone who is energetic and inspirational and continues to serve as a respected dynamic leader in the community. However, after serving thirty-three and a half years in public service, she is retiring from her position as the Deputy Director for Support Services at Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, Brooklyn, NY, effective April 29, 2004.

Katie graduated from Hunter College Magna Cum Laude, earning a B.S. in Community Health. Later, she received a Master's degree in Public Health Administration at Columbia University. She began her public service as a Registered Nurse at Kings County Hospital Center, and later was employed as Associate Director for Clinical Service for 9 years at Harlem Hospital Center.

Katie is the wife of Hervin L. Davis and mother of Charlene and Jacqueline Davis, who continues to serve as an inspiration in spite of her untimely death. As a young woman who overcame her mental disability, Jacqueline served others until her untimely passing in her early 20s.

Katie is a long-time member of the Antioch Baptist Church in Brooklyn where the Reverend Robert M. Waterman is pastor. She is known in the community and among the Antioch Baptist Church family as a spirited and committed Christian. She has faithfully supported many church activities over the years and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Antioch Capital Campaign. Katie genuinely cares about those in her community and is always working with others to serve those in need.

Throughout her career, Katie has continued to be actively involved in activities and programs to improve the educational and social conditions of her community. She is energetic and strategic in her approach, getting others involved in addressing key issues that affect the young and the elderly. Long noted for her active leadership throughout the community, she continues to promote and encourage young people and adults to seek an education, as demonstrated by her current position as President of Medgar Evers College Community Council. The Council awards several scholarships annually to eligible students attending Medgar Evers College who exhibit outstanding academic performance and potential leadership qualities.

Katie's dedication and clever leadership skills are consistently recognized at Kingsboro Psychiatric Center. She volunteers her time as a facilitator of the Advisory Committee for the Emerson-Davis Family Center. This special center houses single-parent families, separated by homelessness, parental mental disability or substance abuse, who are reunited by the Emerson-Davis Family Center in Brooklyn, New York. While ``Emerson'' refers to the Center's street address, ``Davis'' honors Jacqueline Davis, Katie's deceased daughter.

Mr. Speaker, Katie Davis has dedicated herself to helping people and families in need through her distinguished professional career and her community-based work. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month I made a statement congratulating the Council of Khalistan on its commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the massacre of Sikhs at the Golden Temple in June 1984. At that time, I intended to insert the Council of Khalistan's flyer into the Record. I even said that I was including it in the Record. Somehow, it did not get included. Therefore, I would like to place it in the Record at this time.

20th Anniversary of the Golden Temple Massacre, June 3-6, 1984

sikhs must have freedom in sovereign homeland

``If the Indian government attacks the Golden Temple, it

will lay the foundation stone of Khalistan.''--Sant Jarnail

Singh Bhindranwale.

From June 3 throughout 6, 1984, the Indian government

brutally invaded the Golden Temple and 150 other Gurdwaras

around Punjab. Over 20,000 people were killed in these

attacks, including such Sikh leaders as Sant Jarnail Singh

Bhindranwale, who was the strongest spokesman for Sikh rights

and Sikh freedom. More than 100 young boys, ages 8 to 13,

were taken outside into the courtyard and asked whether they

supported Khalistan, the independent Sikh homeland. When they

answered with the Sikh religious incantation ``Bole So

Nihal,'' they were summarily shot to death. The Guru Granth

Sahib, the Sikh scripture, handwritten in the time of the ten

Sikh Gurus, was shot full of bullet holes by the Indian

military. Sant Bhindranwale warned that if the Indian

government invaded the Golden Temple, it would ``lay the

foundation stone for Khalistan'' and it did.

how can this happen in a democracy?

``The Indian government, all the time they boast that they

are democratic, that they are secular. They have nothing to

do with a

democracy, nothing to do with a secularism. They just kill

Sikhs to please the majority.''--Narinder Singh, spokesman

for the Golden Temple, on NPR August 1997.

U.S. Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-Cal.) has said that

for the minorities such as Sikhs and Kashmiris ``India might

as well be Nazi Germany.''

a pattern of repression against the sikh nation

Over 250,000 Sikhs murdered since 1984.

52,268 Sikh political prisoners, according to the Movement

Against State Repression

More than 50,000 Sikhs disappeared in Indian government's

secret cremations. Their remains have never been given to

their families.

Indian government paid over 41,000 cash bounties to police

to kill Sikhs

Gurnihal Singh Pirzada, a senior officer in the IAS,

arrested after allegedly being seen at a meeting of gathering

of Punjab ``dissidents.'' Pirzada denies attending such a

meeting, but points out that it would not be illegal if he

did.

Jaswant Singh Khalra kidnapped by police and murdered in

police custody after exposing Indian policy of arresting

Sikhs, torturing them, murdering them, cremating the bodies,

as ``unidentified.''

Gurdev Singh Kaunke, former Jathedar of the Akal Takht,

highest Sikh religious leader, murdered by police official

Swaran Singh Ghotna, who has never been punished.

The Indian newspaper Hitavada reported that the Indian

government paid the late Governor of Punjab, Surendra Nath,

the equivalent of $1.5 billion to foment and support covert

state terrorist activity in Punjab and Kashmir.

This is the state of freedom in Punhap, Khalistan under

Indian rule.

``The mere fact that they have the right to choose their

oppressors does not mean they live in a democracy.''--Rep.

Edolphus Towns (D-NY).

Mr. Speaker, I was disturbed to read that Jagdish Tytler, India's Minister of State for Non-Resident Indian Affairs, was coming to the United States to speak to the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. While there are many fine people of Indian origin, Jagdish Tytler is a person who is unfit to visit this country. He is the person most responsible for the genocide against Sikhs in Delhi in November 1984. To bring Jagdish Tytler to America is to give our implicit blessing to that massacre.

After the assassination of Indira Gandhi, Tytler and others organized bands of Hindus who grabbed Sikhs and burned them to death. He was one of the people responsible for getting the Sikh police locked in their barracks so that they could not intervene. Meanwhile, the state-run radio and TV screamed for more Sikh blood. In all, over 20,000 Sikhs were murdered.

Mr. Speaker, why is such a person being granted entry to the United States? And why is he in India's Cabinet? Unfortunately, rewarding people who carry out such activities is too common in India. We do not have to grant it our implicit approval.

As you know, over a quarter of a million Sikhs have been murdered at the hands of the Indian government since 1984. The Indian government has also killed more than 300,000 Christians in Nagaland, over 87,000 Muslims in Kashmir since 1988, and thousands upon thousands of other minorities as well. They continue to hold tens of thousands of political prisoners, according to Amnesty International. This includes over 52,000 Sikhs, some of whom have been held in illegal custody without charge or trial for 20 years. A democratic country should be embarrassed to have carried out acts like these, and I call on Prime Minister Singh to begin to rectify India's record by releasing the political prisoners and by removing Mr. Tytler and others involved in atrocities from his government. This will be a good first step towards restoring democracy for all the people.

America is the beacon of freedom. It is a country dedicated to the principles of freedom and equal rights. While we have not always been perfect in our efforts to follow these principles, they form the foundation of America. We embarrass ourselves and our principles by allowing the likes of Jagdish Tytler to come and make speeches in our country.

As long as people like Mr. Tytler are in the government, it is confirmation that there is no place for Sikhs and other minorities in India. Until it repudiates this and allows all people to exercise their full rights, we should provide no aid to India. And we should put ourselves on record in support of a free and fair vote on independence for the Sikh homeland, Khalistan, and for all the other nations seeking their freedom. And we should keep the leaders who practice brutality and commit atrocities out of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood in recognition of his spiritual leadership and contributions to the community. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is without a doubt, one of the leading theologians of his time. His commitment to the call of spiritual healing, racial parity, social justice and economic equity for all people has garnered him national recognition as a preacher, national leader, public advocate, motivator, writer and teacher. Now in his 30th year serving as senior pastor of St. Paul Community Baptist Church and 3rd year as senior pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, both located in Brooklyn, New York, he has completed more than a quarter of a century pastoring to God's people.

In May of 1990, Youngblood received his Doctorate of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, where he studied with an elite group of preachers from across the country as a Samuel D. Proctor Fellow. Dr. Youngblood earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York, and his bachelor's degree from Dillard University in New Orleans. Dr. Youngblood is now single and a father of three sons, Joel Ray, Jason Royce and Johnny Jenell, and the grandfather of Donny Lynn, Joshua, Jalen and Jordyn.

Dr. Youngblood has earned national recognition because of his work with East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC), an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation. He is credited through EBC with spearheading the Nehemiah Housing project, which to date has constructed approximately 2,850 owner-occupied single family homes in some of the most devastated communities in Brooklyn. He has served as national spokesman for the group and in 1990, was recognized in the Congressional Record for his trailblazing work with the project. Dr. Youngblood is a subject of the Harper Collins book, ``Upon This Rock: The Miracles of a Black Church,'' written by Samuel G. Freedman. In 1996, Youngblood and the ministry of the St. Paul Community were featured in an article entitled ``Crossing Border'' in the premiere edition of Common Quest magazine. In December of 1995, Dr. Youngblood was also listed in The New Yorker magazine as one of the ``ten most influential'' New Yorkers. He has been profiled on ABC's 20/20, NBC Nightly News, CBS Sunday Morning News, FOX 5's McCreary Live Report, and the Charlie Rose Show.

In September 1995, Dr. Youngblood launched what has become one of the premier projects on the Church's annual calendar, now known as the commemoration of the Maafa. Dr. Youngblood is spearheading a national effort to promote the Maafa as a spiritual movement aimed at healing this Nation around the scars of slavery. Since 1998, the St. Paul Community has toured ``The Maafa Suite'' production to venues including Dallas, Mississippi, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago and Connecticut.

In June of 1998, Dr. Youngblood released his own book of poetry entitled, ``I Honor My Father''; a collection of poems inspired by the illness and loss of his father in the same year.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Youngblood has dedicated his life to helping people through his spiritual leadership, public advocacy and civic participation. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Katherine Corbett in recognition of her dedication to educating our children and improving the quality of our educational system as well as her spiritual leadership in her community.

Katherine Corbett is a native of Brooklyn, New York who has been married to a seventh grade friend Eddie Corbett for 34 years. She is the mother of four children; Kandice, Eddie Jr., Inez, and Frank. She is the grandmother of Diondre, Keilah, Joshua, and Sheraya.

Katherine is honored to be the principal of the Ronald Edmonds Learning Center-Middle School 113 in Brooklyn. During her 12 years as the educational leader, MS 113, she has earned numerous awards, grants and citations. Of her many outstanding achievements, the school remains the only middle school in the United States that has met the criteria to be a National Alliance of Black School Educators Demonstration school since the program began in 1997. In 1998, MS 113 was one of six schools in the United States, out of 54,000, to be designated by the United States Secretary of Education to be a Title One Distinguished School. In the same year, Katherine was recognized by the New York State Department of Education as a Title One Distinguished Educator. Yale University awarded Katherine with the Patrick Daly Award for Excellence in educational leadership.

In addition to her service to Middle School 113, Katherine has served the New York State Department of Education and Harvard University as a mentor for principals and low performing schools. In December 2000, Katherine was recruited to serve as one of the members of the Distinguished Faculty for New York City Department of Education's Principals Institute. Throughout the 2002-2003 school year, Katherine served as a mentoring principal for New Leaders for New Schools, a national graduate program for aspiring educational leaders.

In addition to her work in the educational community, Katherine serves as the senior pastor of New Life Ministries in West Hempstead, New York. The church serves the community with a number of programs that are designed to build the spirit and soul. Katherine is most grateful to be called, appointed, and chosen to serve humanity as she serves her God.

Mr. Speaker, Katherine Corbett has committed herself to educating our children through her work as a principal and as a mentor to other educators. She has also served her community through her work as a pastor. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, Sikhs observe the twentieth anniversary of India's brutal attack on the Golden Temple, the seat of their religion, this month. From June 3 to 6, 1984, the Indian military brutally attacked the Golden Temple and 125 other Sikh Gurdwaras all over Punjab. This brutal and devastating attack, carried out by the Indira Gandhi government, which was always proudly proclaiming its commitment to secularism, killed over 20,000 Sikhs.

This attack made it clear that even when the secular parties are in power, the minorities in India are not safe and they have no real rights, despite what is written in India's constitution. Whether the Hindu nationalist BJP is in power or the secularist Congress Party is in power, the policy of killing the Sikhs and other minorities in the futile effort to preserve what India considers its territorial integrity marches brutally on.

Among those killed in the Golden Temple attack were major Sikh leaders like Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Bhai Arnrik Singh, General Shabeg Singh, and many others. The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scriptures, were shot full of bullets from the guns of the Indian military. Sikh boys were taken outside and asked if they supported Khalistan. Then they were shot to death. Khalistan, of course, is the name of the independent Sikh homeland.

There is no place for Sikhs or other minorities such as Christians and Muslims in India despite its claims of secularism. On October 7, 1987, Khalistan formally declared its independence. If India is the democratic country it claims to be, why not simply decide the issue in a free and fair plebiscite in Punjab, Khalistan on the subject of independence? Isn't that the democratic way? I was under the impression that in democracies, things were decided by votes. The United States allows the people of Puerto Rico to vote on independence every few years. Canada has held democratic plebiscites on the status of Quebec. In 1947, India promised to settle the Kashmir issue by plebiscite, but it has never allowed that vote to be held. Why not simply put the question to a democratic vote? That is self-determination and self- determination is the essence of democracy.

The Sikh Nation was independent from 1765 to 1849. The Sikhs were supposed to receive sovereignty when India became independent. Although the Indian constitution was adopted in 1950, more than half a century ago, to this day no Sikh representative has ever signed it. How can India claim that it holds sovereignty over the Sikh Nation?

Unfortunately, the Sikhs are not the only victims of India's repressive tyranny. More than 300,000 Christians in Nagaland have been killed by the Indian government since 1947. They have seen priests murdered, nuns raped, schools, prayer halls, and festivals attacked-- the government even shut down one festival with gunfire--missionaries murdered, beaten, and thrown out of the country, and so many other atrocities carried out against them. Almost 88,000 Kashmiri Muslims have fallen victim to India's brutal tyranny since 1988. Another 2,000 to 5,000 Muslims were massacred in Gujarat with the connivance of the government. And these are just a few of the atrocities committed against minorities by the Indian forces.

Mr. Speaker, we must do something to stop these atrocities. If real democracy and real freedom is going to come to all the people of South Asia, the United States must take a stand. It is good that a Sikh is now Prime Minister. He must know the feeling of India's brutality against his people. Therefore, I call on him to use his office to release all of India's political prisoners and bring the persons who carried out these atrocities to justice. We must stop our aid to India until it shows that it is willing to act like a democracy and protect human rights. We are setting up a democratic government in Iraq with a new President and a new Prime Minister. Isn't it time that real democracy finally came to India?

In addition, it is vital for the Congress to declare its support for a free and fair plebiscite

on the issue of independence for Khalistan. There should also be similar plebiscites for Kashmir, Nagaland, and every other nation that seeks its freedom from Indian rule. India says there is no support for these freedom movements. Well, it is time for India to prove its point by holding a free vote on the matter. This is the only way for the people of South Asia to live in freedom, peace, democracy, and stability.

Mr. Speaker, there will be demonstrations around the world this weekend to commemorate the Golden Temple attack. The one in Washington will be led by the Council of Khalistan. I would like to insert their very informative flyer into the Record at this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood in recognition of his spiritual leadership and contributions to the community.

Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is without a doubt, one of the leading theologians of his time. His commitment to the call of spiritual healing, racial parity, social justice and economic equity for all people has garnered him national recognition as a preacher, national leader, public advocate, motivator, writer and teacher. Now in his 30th year serving as senior pastor of St. Paul Community Baptist church and 3rd year as senior pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, both located in Brooklyn, New York, he has completed more than a quarter of a century pastoring to God's people.

In May of 1990, Youngblood received his Doctorate of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, where he studied with an elite group of preachers from across the country as a Samuel D. Proctor Fellow. Dr. Youngblood earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester Divinity in Rochester, New York and his bachelor's degree from Dillard University in New Orleans. Dr. Youngblood is now single and a father of three sons, Joel Ray, Jason Royce and Johnny Jenell, and the grandfather of Donny Lynn, Joshua, Jalen and Jordyn.

Dr. Youngblood has earned national recognition because of his work with East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC), an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation. He is credited through EBC with spearheading the Nehemiah Housing project, which to date has constructed approximately 2,850 owner-occupied single family homes in some of the most devastated communities in Brooklyn. He has served as national spokesman for the group and in 1990, was recognized in the Congressional Record for his trailblazing work with the project. Dr. Youngblood is a subject of the

Harper Collins book, ``Upon This Rock: The Miracles of a Black Church,'' written by Samuel G Freedman. In 1996, Youngblood and the ministry of St. Paul community were featured in an article titled ``Crossing Border'' in the premiere of Common Quest magazine. In December of 1995, Dr. Youngblood was also listed in The New Yorker magazine as one of the ``ten most influential'' New Yorkers. He has been profiled on ABC's 20/20, NBC Nightly News, CBS Sunday Morning News, FOX 5's McCreary Live Report, and the Charlie Rose Show.

In September 1995, Dr. Youngblood launched what has become one of the premier projects on the Church's annual calendar, now known as the commemoration of the Maafa. Dr. Youngblood is spearheading a national effort to promote the Maafa as a spiritual movement aimed at healing this nation around the scars of slavery. Since 1998, the St. Paul Community has toured ``The Maafa Suite'' production to venues including Dallas, Mississippi, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago and Connecticut.

In June of 1998, Dr. Youngblood released his own book of poetry titled, ``I Honor My Father''; a collection of poems inspired by the illness and loss of his father in the same year.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Youngblood has dedicated his life to helping people through his spiritual leadership, public advocacy and civic participation. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Chairman, if I might ask the subcommittee leadership a question related to the public health provisions in the bill.

We are all aware of the blood shortages that call our attention to the fact that the United States does not have sufficient blood supplies to meet the country's normal daily blood needs. What is more alarming, however, is that in this new age of terrorism the United States does not have sufficient blood reserves to meet the critical demand that would occur in the event of an emergency or terrorist attack. As the Homeland Security Appropriations legislation moves forward to a House- Senate conference, it is important that we recognize the need to address this pressing national security issue as well. I would ask that the Committee leadership include language in the final measure that would create a National Blood Reserve, based on the recent recommendations of the Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism. The recommendations would strengthen our Nation's blood supply and ensure the health and welfare of our citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Reverend Doctor Arlee Griffin, Jr. in recognition of his dedication to his community through spiritual leadership and participation in numerous civic organizations.

Dr. Griffin is a native of Elizabeth City, North Carolina where he was an honor graduate of Northeastern High School. He received scholarships to attend the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology. Later, he attended Shaw Divinity School, earning a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has done additional study at East Carolina University, Oxford University in Oxford, England and New York University. In May 1988, he graduated from Boston University with the Doctor of Ministry degree. In April 1992, Shaw Divinity awarded him the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

For nearly ten years, Dr. Griffin served as Pastor of the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist

Church in Greenville, North Carolina. During his tenure, the church experienced unprecedented growth and many new ministries were established, including the Cornerstone Christian Child Care Center. While in North Carolina, Dr. Griffin served in several leadership positions of organizations such as President of Pitt County Black Ministerial Alliance, Moderator and Vice-Moderator of the Old Eastern Missionary Baptist Association, Parliamentarian of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and Trustee of Pitt County Memorial Hospital. He was selected in 1985 as ``Pastor of the Year.'' He served for one year as campus minister at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

In April 1989, Dr. Griffin became the Senior Pastor of the historic Berean Missionary Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. Pastor Griffin has brought to the church a commitment to the pursuit of excellence in the practice of a holistic ministry. Under his leadership, the Community Service Center has been revitalized, offering a full range of social services including: emergency food distribution; meals to homeless and needy people; Alcohol Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups; employment counseling and training programs; and a Senior Citizens Program. In 1996, the church completed Berean Gardens, a $7 million Senior Citizens Housing Complex and recently broke ground on its $7 million Community and Family Life Center.

Dr. Griffin serves as President of the Berean Bible Institute, the Berean Housing Development Fund Corporation, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Berean Federal Credit Union. He has also served as President of the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York, Historian of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and as a member of the General Board of the American Baptist Churches, USA, Progressive National Baptist Convention, and National Council of Churches. He has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Baptist Churches Ministers' and Missionaries Benefit Board and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Shaw University and AmeriChoice Corporation of New York. He serves as clergy liaison for the 77th Precinct of the New York City Police Department as well. Most recently, he was elected Vice President of the American Baptist Churches, USA, Biennial 2004-2005.

Dr. Griffin has done missions work in Senegal and Gambia, West Africa and was a delegate to the First African and African American Summit in the Ivory Coast in 1991. He was selected to be an Official International Election Observer in the first free South African Election in April 1994. He is also an Associate Professor of Church Administration at New York Theological Seminary.

Dr. Griffin is married to Mrs. Angela Farr Griffin, a licensed Physical Therapist, who serves as Executive Director of the Berean Community and Family Life Center. They have two daughters: Angel Arlecia and Ariel Arlyce.

Mr. Speaker, Reverend Doctor Arlee Griffin, Jr. has committed himself to helping people and families through his pastoral work in the church and his community-based efforts. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of AmeriChoice for its ten years of quality health care services to the many residents of Brooklyn.

AmeriChoice began serving residents of Brooklyn in January 1994 as Managed Healthcare Systems (MHS), and today, it is a premier health plan available to beneficiaries of Medicaid, Medicare, the Child Health Plus Program and the State's Family Health Plus program.

AmeriChoice is one of the few for-profit companies that has long been and continues to remain committed to the vital public sector segment of the health care market. Currently, it serves more than 100,000 members with a staff of 170 dedicated employees.

In spite of its growing members, Americhoice has maintained a personalized focus to members' health care needs using the innovative Personal Care Model which extends beyond the traditional borders of health care to involve families, community organizations and government agencies in developing practical solutions which maintain the highest possible functional health status for members.

AmeriChoice has received a national HERA Award from the American Association of Health Plans which recognizes the significant work this health plan has done to increase the number of children receiving five or more comprehensive well-child visits with a physician during the first 15 months of life.

Mr. Speaker, AmeriChoice has been a valued organization of the Brooklyn community for ten years, serving as a premier health plan available to beneficiaries of Medicaid, Medicare, the Child Health Plus Program and the State's Family Health Plus program. As such, it is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this remarkable organization.

Mr. Speaker, on May 12, the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness conducted a hearing into human-rights violations in Kashmir and in Punjab, Khalistan. It was a very successful hearing. Witnesses travelled from Kashmir and from out of state to testify.

Those testifying included The Honorable Michael Kozak, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Human Rights and Labor; The Honorable Donald Camp, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South Asian Affairs; Mr. T. Kumar, Advocacy Director--Asia, Amnesty International; The Honorable Robert Giuda, Deputy Majority Leader of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Chairman, Americans for Resolution of Kashmir; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council; Mrs. Attiya Inayatullah, a human-rights activist from Kashmir; Selig Harrison, Director of the Asia Program, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Policy; and Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan.

Many witnesses talked about the atrocities that have become everyday policy in India's minority states, such as Punjab, Khalistan and Kashmir. Witnesses testified to such atrocities as extrajudicial killings, including fake encounter killings, custodial deaths throughout the country, excessive use of force by security forces, youth sexually incapacitated through torture, rapes, murders, burning villages, and others.

India claims to be democratic, but it is really a brutal tyranny, as these atrocities show. It has placed over 700,000 troops in Kashmir and another 500,000 in Punjab, Khalistan to suppress any opposition to its brutal rule. The Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, more than 300,000 Christians since 1948, over 87,000 Muslims in Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of Tamils, Assamese, Bodos, Manipuris, Dalits, and others.

Mr. Speaker, the United States of America, the beacon of freedom for the world, cannot just stand by and let these atrocities occur. We should stop aid to India until it respects human rights and we should put this Congress on record in support of self-determination for the Sikhs, Kashmiris, Nagas, and everyone who is seeking freedom from India's brutal rule.

Mr. Speaker, the Council of Khalistan issued an excellent, detailed, and informative press release on the hearing, which I would like to insert in the Record now.

Dr. Aulakh, Others Expose Indian Human Rights Violations at

Congressional Hearing

Washington, DC, May 12, 2004.--Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh,

President of the Council of Khalistan, exposed Indian human

rights violations against the Sikhs and other minorities at a

Congressional hearing today entitled ``Decades of Terror:

Exploring Human Rights Abuses in Kashmir and the Disputed

Territories.'' He gave a very emotional informative, strong

statement. It was a very successful appearance.

``Repression is the official policy of supposedly secular

and democratic India,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``The reality is

that India is a Hindu theocracy, not the democracy it claims

to be,'' he said. On October 7, 1987, the Sikh Nation

declared its independence from India, naming its new country

Khalistan. India's brutal occupation of Khalistan and other

minority nations is now internationalized and brought to the

attention of the world. On December 5, President Bush told

Dr. Aulakh, ``I am aware of the Sikh and Kashmiri problem.''

Dr. Aulakh made it clear to the committee that ``freedom for

all the minority nations of South Asia is the only way to end

the repression and secure full human rights for everyone in

that troubled region.''

Dr. Aulakh testified that ``An Army commander in Amritsar

district threatened that he would murder the Sikh men, bring

the women to the Army barracks, and `produce a new generation

of Sikhs.' Mr. Chairman, this is disgraceful and extremely

insulting to the proud Sikhs. It is unbecoming of an army

commander of a nation which claims to be the world's largest

democracy.'' He blasted India's policy of Hindutva, the total

Hinduization of every aspect of life in India. He noted that

Amnesty International has not been allowed into Punjab since

1978. ``Even Castro's Cuba has allowed Amnesty International

into the country more recently,'' he said.

Subcommittee Chairman Representative Dan Burton (R-Indiana)

opened the hearing with a statement. Congressman Burton said,

``Just as the world is disgusted by the abuse of Iraqi

prisoners by United States servicemen and women, we should be

disgusted by the tactics that have been systematically

employed by Indian military and paramilitary forces.'' He

quoted the U.S. State Department report on India:

``Significant human rights abuses included: Extrajudicial

killings, including fake encounter killings, custodial deaths

throughout the country, and excessive use of force by

security forces.'' Chairman Burton noted ``techniques like

reprisal killings, burning down of whole villages, and

summary executions.'' He said that ``India's insistence on

resolving a political problem by force has dragged it down

into a campaign of essentially lawless state terrorism.''

``We thank Chairman Burton for holding this important

hearing,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``It has been helpful in showing

the world the truth about India's claim to be a secular

democracy. What India really is is one of the world's most

brutal tyrannies,'' he said.

Other speakers included The Honorable Michael Kozak,

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of

Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; The Honorable Donald

Camp, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South

Asian Affairs; Mr. T. Kumar, Advocacy Director--Asia, Amnesty

International; The Honorable Bob Giuda, Chairman of Americans

for Resolution of Kashmir and Deputy Majority Leader of the

New Hampshire House of Representatives; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai,

Executive Director of the Kashmiri American Council; Mrs.

Attiya Inayatullah, a human-rights activist and aid worker;

and Selig Harrison, Director of the Asia Program, Woodrow

Wilson Center for International Policy. Sikhs from Maryland,

Virginia, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and

Pennsylvania came to the hearing. Representatives of the Sikh

Coalition were in attendance. Such Sikh youth leaders as

Amardeep Singh Bhalla, Gurpreet Singh Dhillon, Mona Kaur

Dhillon, and others, as well as Sikh activists Ranjit

Singh, Gurbax Singh Dhillon, Karj Singh Sandhu, Kavneet

Singh Pannu, and many others attended in an excellent show

of Sikh strength.

The Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since

1984, more than 300,000 Christians since 1948, over 87,000

Muslims in Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of

Tamils, Assamese, Bodos, Manipuris, Dalits, and others. The

Indian Supreme Court called the Indian government's murders

of Sikhs ``worse than a genocide.'' Mrs. Inayatullah

testified that in Kashmir, ``Since 1989 and as of January

2004 the death toll stands at 87,648. The orphan count is

105,210, women ages 7-70 molested is a shameful 9,297 and

another 21,286 reported widowed, with there being no record

of the number of youth sexually incapacitated through torture

and disabled for life.'' She said that ``Buzz words like

cross-border terrorism and fundamentalism will not cover

India's guilt.'' Rep. Giuda noted that ``Indian law immunizes

its army and police from prosecution for actions committed

under color of `prevention of terrorism', enabling a hideous

government-sanctioned repertoire of torture, rapes, murder,

arson, and custodial killing. Pakistan allows U.N. observers

and human-rights organizations unfettered access to Free

Kashmir, while India denies access to substantial parts of

IOK. One must ask, `Why are no observers allowed? What is

India hiding?' ''

Mr. Kumar said that ``torture, including rape, deaths in

custody, extrajudicial killings, and `disappearances' have

been perpetrated by agents of the state with impunity.'' He

said that ``Most families of all backgrounds have experienced

some form of loss--of livelihood, of a relative, or of the

sense of security of life, liberty, and other fundamental

human rights.'' Dr. Fai reported that ``Killings in Kashmir

have become so commonplace that they are reported like car

accidents in the United States.'' He described rapes,

torture, arbitrary arrests, and other activities. He noted

that ``freedom to speak, write, or organize around self-

determination or criticism of the Indian government for

millions of Kashmiris is chimerical.'' He noted that the

Official Secrets Act gives the government authority to

suppress criticism of its policies. He said that ``India has

authorized a police state reminiscent of the Gestapo.''

Mr. Harrison stated that India has built ``an inflated

military force that has committed well-documented

atrocities.'' Secretary Kozak said, ``Our annual human-rights

report documents our concern and gives examples of the abuses

that take place all too frequently.''

Dr. Aulakh testified that Indian police arrested human-

rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra after he exposed their

policy of mass cremation of Sikhs, in which over 50,000 Sikhs

have been arrested, tortured, and murdered, then their bodies

were declared unidentified and secretly cremated. Khalra was

murdered in police custody. His body was never given to his

family. The police never released the body of former Jathedar

of the Akal Takht Gurdev Singh Kaunke after SSP Swaran Singh

Ghotna murdered him. Ghotna has not been brought to trial for

the murder of Jathedar Kaunke. No one has been brought to

justice for the kidnapping and murder of Jaswant Singh

Khalra. According to a report by the Movement Against State

Repression (MASR), 52,268 Sikhs are being held as political

prisoners in India without charge or trial. Some have been in

illegal custody since 1984! Amnesty International recently

reported at least 100 current torture cases in Punjab. A Sikh

leader named Gurnihal Singh Pirzada was arrested on charges

that he attended a meeting with ``dissidents.'' Although he

denies attending the meeting, he said that it would not be

illegal if he did.

Dr. Aulakh noted that history shows that multinational

states such as India are doomed to failure. Countries like

Austria-Hungary, India's longtime friend the Soviet Union,

Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and others prove this point.

India is not one country; it is a polyglot like those

countries, thrown together for the convenience of the British

colonialists. It is doomed to break up as they did. India is

ruled by Hindu theocrats whose agenda is ``Hindu, Hindi,

Hindutva, Hindu Rashtra,'' or total Hindu domination of every

facet of Indian life. An Indian Cabinet minister said that

everyone who lives in India must be a Hindu or subservient to

Hindus.

``As Professor Darshan Singh, a former Jathedar of the Akal

Takht, said, `If a Sikh is not for Khalistan, he is not a

Sikh','' Dr. Aulakh noted. ``We must continue to press for

our God-given birthright of freedom,'' he said. ``Without

political power, religions cannot flourish and nations

perish.''

Mr. Speaker, as you know, a Sikh, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has been named as the new Prime Minister of India. Dr. Singh is a former Finance Minister in the government of Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1996. He is a very experienced Indian official.

I hope that this will be a step forward for good relations between the United States and India, Mr. Speaker. We all seek good relations. However, the support of India's Communists for the governing coalition makes me wonder if good relations are possible under this particular government.

Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan has sent a letter to Prime Minister Singh congratulating him on his new position. In the letter, Dr. Aulakh notes that it is good for the image of Sikhs worldwide that Dr. Manmohan Singh is now Prime Minister. He also notes that it was the RSS, parent organization of the ousted BJP, that assassinated Mohandas Gandhi and takes note of India's violent history, urging Prime Minister Singh to take strong measures to avoid repeating this history, such as releasing the political prisoners that India holds, punishing those responsible for atrocities, ending the taking of Punjabi water to nonriparian states without compensation, and other such policies I think we can all support. India will be a better place if Prime Minister Singh implements these policies.

According to the Movement Against State Repression (MASR), 52,268 Sikhs are being held as political prisoners. Amnesty International reports that tens of thousands of other minorities are also being held as political prisoners. A democracy should not hold political prisoners. I am sure all my colleagues will agree with me that all these political prisoners should be released immediately.

The letter also reminds Prime Minister Singh that while ending the BJP's policy of Hindutva--total Hinduization of every aspect of Indian life--will be welcome, it was the Congress Party under Dr. Singh's political patrons, the Gandhi family, that carried out the military attack on the Golden Temple, the center and seat of the Sikh religion and the massacre of Sikhs in Delhi and elsewhere in India. Dr. Aulakh urges Dr. Singh to make a complete break with these policies by punishing those responsible.

In 1987, the Sikhs declared themselves independent from India, naming their new country Khalistan. As Dr. Aulakh points out in his letter, allowing Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagaland, and the other nations seeking their freedom from India to be free is the best way to spare the subcontinent any more bloodshed.

I join in that call, Mr. Speaker. We should support a free and fair plebiscite on the question of independence for the minority nations of South Asia. And until human rights are fully observed and a complete break is made with the bloody and repressive policies of the past, the United States should stop providing aid to India. These measures will encourage India to take the steps necessary to bring peace, freedom, prosperity, and dignity to everyone in the subcontinent.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert the Council of Khalistan's letter to Prime Minister Singh into the Record at this time.

Council of Khalistan,

Washington, DC, May 26, 2004.

The Hon. Dr. Manmohan Singh,

Prime Minister of India, Chanakyapouri, New Delhi, India.

Dear Prime Minister Singh: Congratulations on becoming

Prime Minister of India. You have been entrusted with a

significant responsibility.

We are very pleased to see a Sikh as Prime Minister. You

have reached this high office because of your intelligence

and hard work and your presence in this position gives the

world a strong and positive impression of Sikhs. However,

remember the way that the Gandhi family used Giani Zail Singh

when he was President of India. He became the figurehead for

their repression of the Sikhs. Unlike Zail Singh, you are in

a position of real power. Sikhs around the world will be

watching what you do and hoping that you will not allow

yourself to be used in a similar manner.

As a Sikh, you are in a position to understand the problems

of the Sikh Nation. The Movement Against State Repression

(MASR) did a report that showed the government admitted to

holding 52,268 Sikh political prisoners. They have been held

without charge or trial, some for as long as 20 years! If you

are truly committed to secularism, one of your first acts

should be to release all political prisoners. If any have

died in custody, their bodies should be released to their

families. These are people who have committed no crime but

opposition to the government. How can there be political

prisoners in a democracy?

I urge you to restore to Punjab what is rightfully

Punjab's. I call on you to restore the Punjabi-speaking areas

that were removed from the state of Punjab to it. Punjab was

meant to be a unified Sikh state and Indian governments of

the past have pursued a deliberate policy of dividing,

bankrupting, and weakening it to divide and weaken the Sikhs.

As a Sikh and as Prime Minister, you are in a position to put

a stop to this policy. You are also in a position to restore

Punjab's water rights. For years, Punjab's water has been

diverted to non-riparian states with no compensation to

Punjab or to the people of Punjab. Please put an end to the

diversion of Punjab's water to non-riparian states and when

such diversion is necessary, please make certain that the

Sikh farmers of Punjab get appropriate compensation for their

water. This is only fair and right, and it is a policy that

will earn you greater support among the Sikhs. All other

states control their water resources.

We are also pleased that the BJP is out of power. Rahul

Gandhi, MP, the son of Sonia and Rajiv Gandhi and a member of

your party, pointed out that the RSS, which is the parent

organization of the BJP, assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. The RSS

is a pro-Fascist organization and both Vajpayee and Advani

are proud RSS members. The end of the policy of Hindutva will

be a welcome development. Sikh support for the Congress Party

is also a by-product of the corrupt Parkash Singh Badal

regime in Punjab, the most corrupt government in Punjab's

history. The Badal government even invented a new word for

bribery: fee for service. However, it was a Congress

government that attacked the Golden Temple and carried out

the massacre of Sikhs in Delhi and throughout India.

As your own nephew pointed out, Sikhs can never forget the

attack on the Golden Temple. Thus it is disturbing to read

that you have said you intend to follow the policies of Rajiv

Gandhi. His policy was the murder of at least 8,000 Sikhs in

Delhi alone and over 20,000 throughout India. It is also

disturbing that your party gave tickets to Jagdish Tytler and

Sajjan Kumar, who are responsible for ordering the murders of

thousands of Sikhs in Delhi, and that Tytler was appointed to

your Cabinet. Tytler and Sajjan Kumar supplied gasoline for

these murders and incited the crowd. These people belong in

jail, not in the government.

I hope that you will not follow such undemocratic, anti-

secularist, anti-Sikhs policies. Policies such as these

have made it clear that there is no place for Sikhs in

India. If you are truly committed to secularism, you

cannot follow such brutal, repressive policies against

Sikhs and other minorities. The brutal policies have

brought about the murders of over 250,000 Sikhs since

1984, more than 87,000 Kashmiri Muslims since 1988, over

300,000 Christians in Nagaland, and tens of thousands of

Assamese, Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, and other minorities.

The United States State Department exposed the fact that

between 1992 and 1994, a Congress government paid out more

than 41,000 cash bounties to police officers for killing

Sikhs. One officer received a bonus for murdering a three-

year-old boy, claiming the toddler was a ``terrorist.''

The time has come for India to make a clean break with its

past by punishing those responsible for these actions,

compensating the victims' families, and committing itself to

preventing and punishing such acts in the future. This will

show your commitment to secular, democratic government and

not the theocratic repression of the country's past

governments.

India is a very fractured country. Because of past history,

no party is able to unify the people and command a majority

of the support, so coalition governments are inevitable.

Coalition governments are inherently unstable. For example,

the support of India's three Communist parties for your

coalition weakens your ability to pursue good relations with

the United States and other Western countries, which could

increase India's isolation from the world.

History also shows us that multinational countries are

doomed to failure. Austria-Hungary, the Soviet Union,

Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia are examples of this. India is

a multinational state, not a single country, thrown together

by British colonialists and with 18 official languages. How

can such a country be held together except by massive

repression and bloodshed? And the repression has simply

created greater resentment of the central government, which

also strengthens the support for the 17 independence

movements throughout India. Either way, holding India

together is a futile enterprise destined to fail.

Since India is a democracy, I urge you to solve this

problem the democratic way. In 1947, India committed itself

to a plebiscite on the status of Kashmir. The Sikhs also seek

their freedom and sovereignty, as the Nagas and others also

do. If India is truly the world's largest democracy, why not

simply allow the people to decide their status by a free and

fair vote. That is the way that you achieved power, by the

people's votes. Why not let the people vote on this critical

issue? The essence of democracy is the right of self-

determination.

As a Sikh, you are aware that the Sikh Nation is a separate

nation which was supposed to receive sovereignty at the time

of India's independence. As you know, Sikhs ruled Punjab from

1710 to 1716 and from 1765 to 1849. No Sikh representative

has signed the Indian Constitution to this day. Every day,

Sikhs pray ``Raj Kare Ga Khalsa,'' the Khalsa shall rule. As

you know, the Sikh Nation declared its independence from

India on October 7, 1987, calling their new country

Khalistan. As former Jathedar of the Akal Takht Professor

Darshan Singh has said, ``If a Sikh is not a Khalistani, he

is not a Sikh.''

I know that you are a Sikh, Mr. Prime Minister. I can see

your turban. I know that you are concerned about the future

of the Sikh Nation. Therefore, I urge you to sit down with

Sikh representatives and negotiate the boundaries of a

sovereign, independent, free Khalistan. This is the best

thing that you can do for the Sikh Nation, your own people,

and it is the best way to ensure that India goes the way of

Czechoslovakia, not that of Yugoslavia. Please spare India,

Khalistan, and all the nations of South Asia any further

bloodshed.

Congratulations again on your new position.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh,

President, Council of Khalistan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Lance Cpl. William W. White in recognition of his bravery, courage, and sacrifice for our country.

Lance Cpl. White, who grew up in Brooklyn, had been assigned to the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, part of the 1st Marine Division, which is based in Camp Pendleton in California. On March 29, 2004, he became the first soldier from New York City to die in the Iraq war after his military Humvee rolled into a canal, and he drowned. He was 24 years old.

A 1998 graduate of Bushwick High School, White was committed to serving his country as he was planning to join the fire department or pursue a career in law enforcement upon his return. Until his final days, he always shared a great concern and love for others, especially his family. In his last letter home, he sent home a $100 bill to help his brother pay a cell phone tab, instructing him to keep the money if the brother had already paid the bill.

Lance Cpl. White was a disciplined student of martial arts and of the Bible. He left behind his wife Mychaele of 18 months.

Mr. Speaker, Lance Cpl. William W. White was a true American hero, making the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Jossie B. Lawson in recognition of her commitment to public service through her work in the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and dedication to her community through volunteer efforts in her church.

Jossie B. Lawson was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 6, 1954. She is the proud mother of two talented daughters, Sareve C. Lawson and Alia H. Akili. Jossie is the product of the New York City public school system. After graduating from Performing Arts High School, she attended Hunter College. Her most recent academic achievement was the completion of the prestigious EEO Complaint Handling program at the Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations in 2001.

Shortly after receiving her certification in Paralegal Studies from Long Island University, Jossie was hired as a paralegal by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office in 1983. She was later promoted to Administrative Manager in 1990, and again to her current position of EEO Coordinator by the current District Attorney Charles ``Joe'' Hynes in 1998. She is also responsible for facilitating the College Internship program in the agency and has represented the District Attorney's Office on the Board of Women's Advisors for the City of New York.

As a young adult, Jossie began working with the youth of her congregation, Zion Baptist Church where Dr. M. M. Peace is the pastor. She is a gifted singer and serves as a worship leader in her church. Her strong commitment to personal mentoring and use of her considerable skills as a life coach, has earned her the love and respect of many.

Jossie has given her time and support to countless individuals across the years. Her ability to motivate and encourage people coupled with her gift of helping others discover and nurture the gifts within themselves is why she is frequently invited to participate in workshops and motivational sessions. Jossie is a woman who will push you to excellence, pray you toward success and pull you with the strength of her belief in your potential. Many have been blessed by her guidance. She is truly a woman who makes a difference.

Mr. Speaker, Jossie B. Lawson has dedicated her life to her community through both her professional and her personal activities. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. He-Hon Lao in recognition of her contribution to the field of medicine and her special

role in helping to standardize the field of acupuncture in America.

Dr. Lao is a physician in Chinese medicine, a senior Acupuncturist and Herbalist, and the Founder and Director of New York Oriental HealthCare Center in Brooklyn. As a graduate of Shandong University of Medicine in 1968, she received her post-graduate training with herbal master Huang Siang-Zhou and acupuncture professor Jin Rui. She also served as Chief physician at the Red Cross Hospital under the Department of Complementary Medicine in Canton, China. While working at the Red Cross Hospital, she was one of the first physicians in China at that time to use Acupuncture and Chinese medicine in clinical research.

Inspired by the lack of standardization and regulation of the acupuncture profession, Dr. Lao joined the New York State Department of Education in January 1991 where she established a comprehensive educational requirement for licensing and code of ethics. She believes a profession without proper and rigorous training is not a profession. In addition, Dr. Lao set standards in the clinical experience of acupuncture with an emphasis on professional competency. In fact, the comprehensive practice of acupuncture today is a direct result of her advocacy.

As a physician, Dr. Lao has over 35 years experience of clinical practice and teaching in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She has a long list of published works and is also a frequent lecturer on holistic medicine. Most of her lectures and seminars are professional development oriented for other doctors and healthcare professionals.

Currently, Dr. Lao works at Woodhull Hospital as a supervisory acupuncturist where she treats several thousand patients every year. She is in charge of supervising the acupuncture detoxification program which is an integral part of the treatment for chemically dependent patients. She finds her job very rewarding, especially when she sees a converted drug addict go to the podium and receive a graduation certificate from her hands. She has a similar impact on many other people's lives, and that is why she loves her job.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. He-Hon Lao has dedicated her life to easing patients' pain through the practice and development of acupuncture. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.